Here lies the beginnings of an individual looking to provide a glimpse into the early stages of the home manufacturing movement. Come and see me experiment with the latest in the DIY personal digital fabrication world.

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Monday, June 13, 2011

SOLD OUT!

Well, I guess extending the deadline for the build class registration was a success after all. The class is completely sold out. Unfortunately I had turned away some instructors due to the original outlook for the class sing up. I might be able to scrounge together a few of the local experts to lend a hand, but the crew I got so far is more than enough.

Those of you that registered for the class have been getting a flurry of emails from me these past couple of days, but in case you lost it, here it is again:

Alright folks,The time is nearly upon us! Within a weeks time, you will be sittingcomfortably at your home desktop/laptop and be printing away with yourvery own RepRap Prusa Mendel 3D printer.So, let's run through all the fine details.I would like each of you to try and install these various softwarecomponents yourself first. PLEASE READ THE readme files in each of thefollowing software packages, they are very helpful and welldocumented! (it is OK if you do not know how to install the software,we will help you come class time):- Sprinter Firmware: this is the firmware that will be loaded ontoyour RAMPS (the electronics that will be running your machine). Youcan find the file here,https://github.com/kliment/Sprinter. ForWindows and Mac OSX, download the zip extension. Those of you onLinux, the tar extension. Save it a convenient place. Feel free toread any of the provided documentation. If you are curious enough totry and fiddle with it before hand, just don't save any of yourchanges!- Repsnapper: this software allows you to interface with the RepRapmachine (to do such things as set temps, load gcode, manual movements,etc.). You can find details on Repsnapper and instruction on how toinstall here,http://reprap.org/wiki/RepSnapper_Manual:Introduction.- Pronterface: this is as a secondary option for a way to interfacewith your printer, it is very NEW, but has been received by thecommunity with much success. You can download and install with filesfrom here,https://github.com/kliment/Printrun. It a nice clean andsimple GUI and has native SD card support for the SD add ons you canpurchase at the class if you wish too (the SD add on can be purchasedfrom me at a later time or at the class).- Skeinforge 41: this is the piece of software that allows you to takea 3D model/STL and slice it into gcode which you then feed to yourprinter. The latest version can be found at the top of the list ofthis link,http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/. (You want to 2011-04-27version)Again, please remember to read the README files with each of thepackages. They are well documented and easy to follow. And again, ifyou do not wish to try and install any of the packages in fear of____________ (insert something tragic), that is fine as well. We willhelp you come class time.Tentative Work flow (nothing has really changed from my first email):Friday (5PM - 10PM):- Introduction to the Prusa Mendel : overview of the machine viaYouTube video courtesy of community member OhmEye- Introduction of build instructors- Overview of instruction manuals (find the PDF manual here,http://garyhodgson.com/reprap/prusa-mendel-visual-instructions/)- Building of the main body and frame assembly ( I aim to have themajority of the printer assembled and squared off the first day, butit is OK if we don't).NOTE: we will progress as a group, we will only move one when everyoneis at the same point. If someone seems to be struggling and aninstructor is not present, feel free to step in if you can help them.It's all about community folks!Saturday (10AM - 10PM):- Finish up body/frame construction- Attaching X/Y-axis- Catchup Time- Extruder attachment- Electronics Wiring/PCB- Software downloading and uploading/Computer Prep- Overview of SF and begin test printingSunday (10AM - 10PM):- Printer Tweaking- Catchup Time- CELEBRATING your completion of your RepRap!(Time allowing, a brief overview of design programs to create your 3Ddesigns and places where to get things to print!)***Food breaks are present, pretty much will happen when everyonestarts getting grouchy/faint/onset of nausea, etc.***TOOLS NEEDED (there have been some recent additions):- at least 2 of 13mm wrenches, pretty much for your M8 nuts. At leasttwo if you are working in a group, if your solo, 2 will do.- Calipers: digital would be nice, but any will do- Pliers- M3 and M4 hex keys- Your own multimeter, we do have a few in the lab so if you don'thave one already, it's OK.- A good attitude! I just added that to be cheesy.- In reality, if you have a tool bag or an idea of a tool that I havenot mentioned, feel free to bring it along. The tools I listed shouldsuffice.Ok, sorry for the really long email. PLEASE read through it a milliontimes! And ask me LOTS of questions. There will be a test first thingcome class day. So study HARD ( I MEAN IT!)!Until next time,- Andy

1 comment:

hi, im not sure how else to contact you, you had an UP for sale back in march... and i just saw the message now, please email raven.x.bishop@gmail.com and let me know if there is still an UP available.